The Rise of An Lushan and the Tang Court’s Blind Trust

In the winter of 754 CE, during the 13th year of the Tianbao era, the Tang Dynasty faced a looming crisis. An Lushan, the powerful military governor of Fanyang, arrived in the imperial capital of Chang’an to pay homage to Emperor Xuanzong. On the surface, this was a routine visit—a regional commander fulfilling his ceremonial duties. But beneath the courtly formalities, tensions simmered.

An Lushan was no ordinary general. A man of mixed Sogdian and Göktürk heritage, he had risen through the ranks by combining military brilliance with shrewd political maneuvering. His jovial demeanor and exaggerated loyalty endeared him to Emperor Xuanzong and his beloved consort, Yang Guifei. Yet, behind the facade of a bumbling, devoted servant, An Lushan harbored ambitions that would soon shake the empire to its core.

The Warnings of Yang Guozhong

At the heart of the growing unease was Yang Guozhong, the imperial chancellor and cousin of Yang Guifei. Unlike the emperor, Yang Guozhong saw An Lushan for what he was—a potential usurper. He repeatedly warned Xuanzong:

“Your Majesty must be cautious. An Lushan has rebellious intentions. We cannot afford to underestimate him.”

Yang Guozhong’s concerns were not baseless. He had dispatched spies to Fanyang, who reported alarming details: An Lushan spoke openly of his dissatisfaction with the court, boasted of his military indispensability, and even hinted at rebellion. Yet, Emperor Xuanzong dismissed these warnings, swayed by An Lushan’s theatrics and Yang Guifei’s laughter.

“Hah! An Lushan, rebel? What a ridiculous joke!” Yang Guifei once exclaimed, unable to contain her amusement.

To her, An Lushan was merely a court jester—a rotund, comical figure who entertained her with exaggerated performances. The emperor, too, found it impossible to believe that his most loyal general could betray him.

The Dangerous Game of Power

Yang Guozhong, however, was playing a dangerous game. His warnings were not purely out of concern for the empire but stemmed from his own political survival. As a man who owed his position to his familial ties with Yang Guifei, he saw An Lushan as a direct threat to his influence.

His strategy was calculated: by repeatedly accusing An Lushan of treason, he hoped to provoke the general into acting rashly. If An Lushan refused to come to Chang’an when summoned, it would confirm his disloyalty. If he did come, Yang Guozhong could still manipulate the situation to his advantage.

An Lushan’s Audacious Move

Against all expectations, An Lushan arrived in Chang’an without hesitation. His performance was masterful. Kneeling before the emperor, tears streaming down his face, he proclaimed:

“I am but a humble barbarian, raised to greatness by Your Majesty’s grace. Yet, I am envied by many—especially Yang Guozhong. I fear one day I shall die by his schemes!”

The emperor, moved by this display, reassured him: “Dry your tears. I have never doubted your loyalty.”

An Lushan’s gamble had paid off—for now.

The Seeds of Rebellion

Before departing, An Lushan made two critical requests:

1. Control of the Imperial Stables – He asked to oversee the empire’s horse breeding and military cavalry, a seemingly modest request. In reality, securing access to warhorses was essential for his future rebellion.
2. Titles for His Officers – He persuaded the emperor to grant honorary titles to 500 of his generals and 2,000 mid-ranking officers. These titles, though symbolic, strengthened their loyalty to him—not the Tang court.

As he left Chang’an, Emperor Xuanzong bestowed upon him an unprecedented honor: his own imperial robe. An Lushan, however, recognized the danger. If Yang Guozhong learned of this, he might delay or even assassinate him.

The Desperate Flight to Fanyang

An Lushan’s return journey was anything but leisurely. He raced through the night, changing boatmen every 15 li (about 8 km) to maintain speed. He refused to stop at any official lodgings, fearing interception. Only when he was far from the capital did he finally relax.

“Now, we are safe,” he murmured.

The Aftermath and Legacy

The events of 754 set the stage for the catastrophic An Lushan Rebellion (755–763), which would devastate the Tang Dynasty, claiming millions of lives and marking the beginning of its decline.

### Why Did the Emperor Ignore the Warnings?
– Overconfidence – Xuanzong, in his later years, trusted An Lushan’s flattery more than his advisors’ warnings.
– Yang Guifei’s Influence – Her dismissal of An Lushan as a harmless fool reinforced the emperor’s complacency.
– Political Blind Spots – The Tang court had grown detached from regional realities, underestimating the power of military governors.

### Modern Lessons
– The Danger of Overcentralized Trust – Relying too heavily on a single figure without checks can lead to disaster.
– The Role of Misinformation – Yang Guozhong’s manipulation and An Lushan’s deception highlight how easily power can be abused.
– The Fragility of Empires – Even the mightiest dynasties can collapse when leadership fails to recognize internal threats.

An Lushan’s story remains a cautionary tale of ambition, deception, and the peril of ignoring clear warnings—a lesson as relevant today as it was in the Tang Dynasty.